Modular display unit



1967 J. A. BASLER MODULAR DISPLAY UNIT 2* Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 21, 1964 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH A. BASLER ATTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1967 J. A. BASLER MODULAR DISPLAY UNIT SheetsSheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1964 I N V E NTOR. JOSEPH A. BASLER ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 8, 1967 3,334,855 MODULAR DISPLAY UNIT Joseph A. Basler, East Greenwich, R.I., assignor to Barrows Industries, Inc., Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Dec. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 419,725 2 Claims. (Cl. 248-453) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A display system comprising a pair of modular display units and display unit supporting means which permit the two units to be mounted and supported either singly or in combination.

Summary of the invention This invention relates to display systems for'di-splaying jewelry and the like and more particularly is directed to a stand capable of supporting a display case singly or two display cases simultaneously, said stand having means supporting said cases in an inclined position so that the contents of the cases are readily visible.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed specification when considered together with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination top and bottom display system embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stand for the upper display unit;

FIG. 3 is a side view in elevation showing how the bottom display unit is supported;

FIG. 4 is a side view partly in section illustrating in greater detail how the top and bottom display units are interlocked with their supports;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear view of a display unit showing one of the eyelets mounted thereon;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an individual display unit;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an individual display unit taken along line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates how the bottom display unit of FIG. 1 can be used separately with no additional support members;

FIG. 9 shows how a display unit can be hung from a wall;

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative form of support which enables the bottom unit to stand separate from the top unit; and

FIG. 11 illustrates how a display unit is supported by the support member of FIG. 10.

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown a modular display system embodying the present invention. This system includes two identical display units 2 (A and B), each comprising a hollow rectangular case consisting of four frame members 8 to which a bottom panel 10 is affixed. A transparent cover 12 is hinged to one of the long sides 8A of the case. Details of the hinge connection between the transparent cover and the case are omitted since the connection is conventional and may be modified without affecting the invention. Preferably, each case is sufiiciently deep to accommodate at least two layers of removable multi-compartment trays 14. These trays may be made according to a variety of constructions, but preferably they are plastic units molded as shown in cross-section in FIG. 7.

Each of the display units 2 is provided with a dowel hole 16 on the rear face of each of the two shorter frame members 8 close to the hinged side. Two additional dowel holes 18 are formed in the side of the case opposite to the one to which the cover is hinged. Additionally, a pair of circular eyelets 20 are secured by like screws 22 to rear faces of the shorter frame members 8 close to holes 16. The screws 22 extend through the bottom panel into the frame and are driven in far enough to prevent the eyelets from swiveling loosely but not so far as to prevent them from being moved by moderate finger pressure to either of the positions shown in FIG. 5.

The display system of FIG. 1 also includes a stand 26 made of metal rod stock. The stand consists of two pairs of angularly disposed front and rear legs 28 and 30 respectively and a transversely extending section 32 whose ends are integral with the two front legs. The two rear legs are welded to the front legs. Each of the front legs is bent twice to form a shoulder portion 34 and an offset upper portion 36. A pair of prongs 38 are afiixed to shoulder portions 34 in parallel relation to the other portions of the front legs.

The system of FIG. 1 also includes a pair of separate legs 42 which are formed as separate elements from wire rod stock. These legs and also the front and rear legs of stand 26 are provided with removable resilient rubber or plastic boots 44 to prevent them from marring the surface on which the display may be placed.

As is readily apparent from FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the bottom display unit 2A rests on one edge and is supported in an inclined position by legs 42 which are disposed within its dowel holes 16. The legs make a' tight fit with holes 16. The upper display unit 2B is supported by display stand 26. One side of display unit 2B rests on shoulders 34 with prongs 38 fitting into its holes 18. The bottom of the upper display unit rests against the offset upper portions 36 of the front legs and also the transversely extending section 32. The upper display unit 23 is more nearly upright than the lower display unit. Eyelets 20 of the bottom unit function to hold the two display units in predetermined positions relative to each other. This is achieved by inserting the front legs of stand 26 through the eyelets 20 of the bottom display unit. The boots on the front legs must be removed in order for the legs to be coupled to eyelets 20.

If desired, an alternative arrangement is available using the display system components shown in FIG. 1. For one thing, the bottom display units can be detached from stand 26 to provide two separate free standing displays, one consisting of display unit 2A supported by legs 44 as shown in FIG. 8 and the other consisting of display unit 2B supported by stand 26. Alternatively either or both units may be used without any legs or stand, in which case they may simply rest flat on a supporting surface (as shown in FIG. 6) or be hung on a wall by means or their eyelets 20 (as shown in FIG. 9).

FIGS. 10 and 11 show still another way in which each display unit may be utilized. In FIG. 10 there is shown a U-shaped stand 48 made of a single piece of wire rod stock. The ends of the stand are inserted in the holes 16 on the rear side of the display unit. Near its ends the stand is bent as shown at 50 so as to hold the display unit almost but not quite vertical.

From the foregoing description it is believed to be apparent that the illustrated display system is versatile, yet imple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. It may be used to display a large variety of a particular item, e.-g. bracelet charms, or to display different types of items. Moreover, the display cases may be modified substantially, e.g. made shallower or deeper, according to what is needed to be displayed.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts specifically described or illustrated,

and that within the scope of the appended claims, it may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described or illustrated.

What is claimed is:

1. A stand for supporting a display case at an inclined angle comprising two pairs of legs held in spaced relation by a transversely extending member, each of said pairs including a front leg and a rear leg secured to each other in fixed angular relation, each front leg being 011- set to include an upper body portion and a shoulder portion at the bottom end of each upper body portion, each shoulder portion disposed at a right angle to the upper body portion whereby a display case can be supported with one side resting in said shoulder portions and its bottom panel resting against said upper body portions, and means for interlocking said shoulder portions to said display case, said front legs being integral with said transversely extending member.

2. A stand for supporting a display case at an inclined angle comp-rising two pairs of legs held in spaced relation by a transversely extending member, each of said pairs including a front leg and a rear leg secured to each other in fixed angular relation, each front leg being 0&- set to include an upper body portion and a shoulder portion at the bottom end of each upper body portion, each shoulder portion disposed at a right angle to the upper body portion whereby a display case can be supported with one side resting in said shoulder portions and its bottom panel resting against said upper body portions, and means for interlocking said shoulder portions to said display case, wherein when said front and rear legs are supported by a common planar surface, the upper body portions of said front legs are disposed at an acute angle to said surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 974,739 11/1910 Becker 3121 14 1,034,884 8/1912 Crowther 312-114 1,235,862 8/1917 Weiss 312114 1,313,498 7/1919 Nason 3l2245 X 1,566,523 12/1925 Coffey 248-450 1,622,726 3/ 1927 Knorpp 248450 1,670,891 6/1928 Keese 248'453 1,901,530 3/ 1933 Pelly-rnounter 2069 1,922,571 8/1933 Deline 229--15 2,503,199 4/ 1950 Goldb-latt 312-256 2,550,279 4/1951 Marner 248-453 2,859,880 11/1958 Barnes 211106 CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner. 

1. A STAND FOR SUPPORTING A DISPLAY CASE AT AN INCLINED ANGLE COMPRISING TWO PAIRS OF LEGS HELD IN SPACED RELATION BY A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING MEMBER, EACH OF SAID PAIRS INCLUDING A FRONT LEG AND A REAR LEG SECURED TO EACH OTHER IN FIXED ANGULAR RELATION, EACH FRONT LEG BEING OFFSET TO INCLUDE AN UPPER BODY PORTION AND A SHOULDER PORTION AT THE BOTTOM END OF EACH UPPER BODY PORTION, EACH SHOULDER PORTION DISPOSED AT A RIGHT ANGLE TO THE UPPER BODY PORTION WHEREBY A DISPLAY CASE CAN BE SUPPORTED WITH ONE SIDE RESTING IN SAID SHOULDER PORTIONS AND ITS BOTTOM PANEL RESTING AGAINST SAID UPPER BODY PORTIONS, AND MEANS FOR INTERLOCKING SAID SHOULDER PORTIONS TO SAID DISPLAY CASE, SAID FRONT LEGS BEING INTEGRAL WITH SAID TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING MEMBER. 